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Sonny Boys hold NYE bash for hospice

The Sonny Boys Kevin Bader, top left, Russ Holitzki, former member Rodi Devuono, and Chris Bader (not pictured is new member Jon Buller) perform at the Tick Tock and Rock New Year’s Eve bash at the Best Western Vernon Lodge.

— image credit: Submitted

Those looking to rock in the new year for a good cause need not look further than the Best Western Vernon Lodge, which is hosting the Tick, Tock and Rock event with local band The Sonny Boys.

Without a doubt though, the most compelling reason to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Sonny Boys is so that the community can raise funds for a cause that affects us all.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the North Okanagan Hospice Society, which offers quality end-of-life care for North Okanagan residents.

“We are honoured that The Sonny Boys have chosen North Okanagan Hospice Society to be the recipient of the proceeds raised at Tick, Tock and Rock this New Year’s Eve,” said Kelli Sullivan with the North Okanagan Hospice Society. “The financial support of our community is instrumental in our continued efforts to provide quality end-of-life care to residents of the North Okanagan.”

The organization is also close to the Sonny Boys’ hearts after their bandmate, Rodi Devuono, succumbed to cancer in the summer.

“We’re very excited to bring our passion and energy to this event and support a great cause like hospice. Very recently, we lost our very good friend and bandmate to cancer, so we wanted to be able to give something back to a local group that is dedicated to supporting families as they work through illness and bereavement,” said Kevin Bader, guitarist with the group.

Best known for packing the dance floor at the Armstrong Interior Provincial Exhibition every year for more than a decade, The Sonny Boys have been performing together since 1993, and gig about once a month throughout the Okanagan and Kootenay regions.

“We play everything from Van Halen to Vince Gill, old-time waltzes to modern pop, rock, and everything in between,” said Bader, whose brother Chris Bader plays drums in the band, while Russ Holitzki completes the rhythm section on bass. All share vocal duties.

Newest Sonny Boy, local recording artist Jon Buller, will be plugging in his guitar to join the band for the New Year’s Eve bash, and plans to stick with the band for its future gigs.

“I’m excited as these guys are such a fun band to play music with,” said Buller.

Making New Year’s Eve a night to remember will be the Best Western Vernon Lodge, which is providing a large dance floor, an array of appetizers, as well as a cash bar. The venue is also offering favourable hotel room rates for guests who choose to stay the night.

“There’s just something about a dance with live musicians in a band, a real energy that we’ll be bringing for sure this New Year’s Eve at the Lodge,” said the Sonny Boys.

“We’ve been planning the sets for awhile now. People can expect to dance the night away with everything from country, to classic rock, to current top 40 hits.”

Presented by Kiss FM, tickets for Tick, Tock and Rock are $30 per person, available at www.thesonnyboys.com or at the Best Western PLUS Vernon Lodge.

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